Book Review | A Bold Blueprint For Reimagining Democracy In Bharat
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Book review of ‘Delimitation and States Reorganization for a Better Democracy in Bharat’ by Gautam Desiraju and Deekshit Bhattacharya
In this book, the authors propose a radical yet constitutionally permissible restructuring aimed at achieving ‘Each vote same value’ and ‘Each state same heft’. (Image: Ink/website)
In Delimitation and States Reorganization for a Better Democracy in Bharat, Gautam Desiraju and Deekshit Bhattacharya present a compelling argument for a seismic reconfiguration of India’s state boundaries to rectify the foundational democratic contradictions that threaten Bharat’s political future. The authors propose a radical yet constitutionally permissible restructuring aimed at achieving “Each Vote Same Value” and “Each State Same Heft” — two principles that underpin a balanced and equitable democracy.
The central thesis is as provocative as it is necessary: the existing state boundaries, conceived through political expediency and historical accidents, have become untenable in the context of a rapidly evolving democracy. The authors propose the division of India into 75 states, each with a population of approximately two crores, thus creating political units that are both administratively manageable and electorally equitable.
UNPACKING THE DEMOCRATIC DILEMMA
The beginning of the book lays bare the startling extent of electoral inequality caused by the current delimitation freeze (since 1976) and the massive population disparities among states. A vote in Kerala, for instance, is worth far more in terms of parliamentary representation than a vote in Uttar Pradesh. This gross disparity is a blatant violation of the constitutional mandate of “One Person, One Vote” and undermines the democratic ethos. The proposed restructuring, with each state housing roughly equal populations, would not only resolve this disparity but also bring every vote closer to parity in value.
Moreover, the existing configuration allows a handful of populous states to wield disproportionate political power at the Union level, holding national governance hostage to regional interests. By equalizing state populations, Desiraju and Bhattacharya argue, India can restore the balance of political heft, ensuring that no single state or region can dominate the national discourse to the detriment of others.
HISTORICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS
The authors compellingly argue that the current state boundaries are artificial constructs, borne of colonial legacies and linguistic politics that have calcified into political orthodoxy. The “One Language, One State” model, they contend, has led to subnationalism and the suppression of micro-diversities. A reimagined map of Bharat, drawn with a focus on economic realities, historical identities, and manageable administrative units, can rectify these flaws and foster genuine federalism.
The constitutional feasibility of this proposal is underscored by Article 3, which vests Parliament with the sole authority to redraw state boundaries. The authors astutely highlight that this provision is a powerful but underutilized tool that can serve as the fulcrum for a constitutional reboot, a new framework that reflects the aspirations of 21st-century Bharat.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY
Desiraju and Bhattacharya advance a persuasive case for the administrative advantages of smaller states. Citing empirical evidence and case studies, they demonstrate how smaller states can effectively address regional disparities, streamline governance, and foster localized economic specialization. In the current setup, sprawling states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra suffer from capital-centric governance that neglects peripheral regions.
Reorganizing these states into more focused, smaller units can enable targeted development, reduce caste-based political capture, and mitigate inter-regional conflicts.
ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND POLITICAL STABILITY
The proposed state reorganization is not merely an administrative exercise – it is a revolutionary economic strategy. By enabling states to specialize in specific industries and products, Bharat can transform its states into economic powerhouses, each leveraging its unique resources and capabilities. This economic diversification, the authors argue, would stem distress migration, create employment, and reduce economic disparities, fostering a more balanced and prosperous Bharat.
Moreover, the authors compellingly link the proposed restructuring to political stability. The current system incentivizes political hegemony by dominant caste and community blocs in large states, often resulting in entrenched corruption and clientelism. By decentralizing power to smaller, more balanced states, Desiraju and Bhattacharya envision a political landscape that is more representative, less polarized, and more responsive to local needs.
A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL DEAL
The book is not content with merely outlining the problem; it proposes a comprehensive constitutional framework to operationalize the state reorganization. The authors advocate for the establishment of an independent Delimitation and States’ Reorganization Commission, insulated from political interference and mandated to undertake periodic reviews of state boundaries and electoral constituencies.
They also call for a fundamental reconsideration of the Rajya Sabha, suggesting that it adopt a structure similar to the US Senate, with equal representation for each state. This would not only mitigate the power imbalances between states but also foster a more robust system of checks and balances.
AN IDEOLOGICAL AND CIVILISATIONAL REBOOT
Beyond administrative restructuring, the book proposes a deeper civilisational reboot. The authors argue that India’s governance framework, shaped by colonial divisions and Western liberalism, is misaligned with Bhārat’s ancient identity as a civilizational state. The call is to shed the colonial mindset and embrace governance rooted in dharma — a principle that emphasizes duty over rights and social harmony over political power.
The current political structure, they contend, perpetuates artificial boundaries drawn to fragment Bhārat’s unity. In contrast, the proposed reorganization into 75 smaller states aligns boundaries with cultural, historical, and economic continuities, enabling citizens to reconnect with their civilizational roots. This shift is positioned as a psychological and spiritual regeneration, reclaiming Bhārat’s timeless identity as a diverse yet unified entity.
Operationalizing dharma as the basis of governance would mean reframing the state as a custodian of moral order, not merely a political authority. This includes reassessing constitutional constructs like “secular” and “socialist” in the preamble and restoring property rights. The authors envision Bhārat’s resurgence as a civilizational state – a long-term project to realign governance with cultural values, positioning India as a global model of dharmic democracy.
A VISION FOR VIKSIT BHARAT 2047
Delimitation and States Reorganization for a Better Democracy in Bharat is a manifesto for systemic transformation, a bold call to action that challenges the ossified political structures and offers a clear roadmap for a more equitable, efficient, and representative Bharat. It is a must-read for policymakers, scholars, and citizens who are serious about shaping a Viksit Bharat by 2047 — a nation where every vote matters equally, where every state has a voice, and where governance is not just a system but a sacred duty.
Desiraju and Bhattacharya have gifted Bharat a masterful and provocative blueprint for its political evolution. It is now up to the nation to embrace it, debate it, and – perhaps – implement it.
(Shobhit Mathur is the Co-Founder and Vice-Chancellor of Rishihood University. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views)
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